Global information literacy: a content analysis of three journals

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to perform a content analysis of information literacy specific journals to determine what contributing countries and predominant themes are represented in the field leading to a global understanding of information literacy.Design/methodology/approachThe data for this study were collected through a content analysis of journal article publication information, titles, abstracts and keywords in three journals: Communications in Information Literacy (the USA), Journal of Information Literacy (the UK) and Nordic Journal of Information Literacy in Higher Education (Norway) from 2012 to 2017.FindingsThe USA contributed the most to the literature, though the top information literacy themes were addressed by each of the 18 countries that contributed articles to the journals under study. Some themes emerged that suggest the existence of a common global discourse around shared information literacy concepts, including themes related to information literacy theory and practice.Practical implicationsThe shared information literacy themes can be used to help solidify a global understanding of information literacy.Originality/valueThis study fills a gap in the content analysis of information literacy journals by identifying themes that demonstrate a shared global understanding of information literacy.